Aeroplane



Feb. 9, 1932. MERDIAN |1,344,777

AEROPLANE Filed April 24, 1930 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 u f ull l Patented Feb. 9, 1932 PATENT OFFICE GEORGE MERDIAN, OF SCIO, OREGON AERDPLAN E Substitute for application filed September 28, 1911, Serial No. 651,769. This application filed April 24, 1930. Serial No. 447,056'.

My invention relates to an improvement in aeroplanes, and is substituted for my former application Serial No. 651,769, filed September 28, 1911.

lThe object is to provide means whereby the stability of the apparatus during flight may be readily maintained.

The invention consists in certain novel Jfeatures of construction and combinations of lo parts which will be hereinafter described and pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 is a top plan view;

Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation;

Fig. 3 is a rear view, partly in section, showing the manner of mounting the plane, and the mechanism for oscillating the same;

Fig. 4; is a top plan view with the plane removed, showing the means upon which it is mounted for shifting it to its various positions; and

Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail view of the frame showing the manner of mounting the sub-frame and the steering shaft thereto.

A representsthe main frame, upon which the usual engine and propeller are mounted, but which I have not illustrated. A shaft lis mounted upon the frame, upon which shaft a sub-frame 2 is pivotally supported. Standards 3, 3, are mounted upon the sub-frame, and journaled in the standards 3 is a shaft 1. Mounted upon the shaft 4 are uprights 5, which supports the transverse plane B.

Bars 8 are connected to the uprights 5 and extend longitudinally of the machine and are connected with the opposite sides of the transverse plane B. Helical springs 10 are connected to the bars 8 and to the frame `A of the machine on the sides thereof for normally holding the planes in a horizontal plane, and similar springs 10 are similarly cony nected at the front and back of the frame A,

as shown in Fig. 2. l

A steering shaft 11 is journaled to a rock shaft 12, as shown in Figs. 3 and 5, which rock shaft is journaled in the frame A, whereby the shaft 11 is capable of rotary movement as well as vertical movement. A sprocket chain 13 extends around the sprocket wheel 13 on the shaft 11 and to the bars 8 of the plane, and a wheel 14 is provided on the shaft 11 for rotating the shaft for oscillating the plane horizontally, and when the plane is to be oscillated longitudinally of the machine, the rear end of the shaft is raised or lowered vertically, according to the direction which the planes are to be moved.

A horizontal rudder 15 is pivotally mounted in the rear of the frame A, and connected thereto is a lever 16 hy a link 17, whereby the rudder can be moved up or down.

From the foregoing, it will be seen that I have provided for stabilizing the plane, and for moving the same as may be desirable and effective. Also the steering shaft has control of all of the movements of the plane, in both horizontal and longitudinal directions.

I claim:

1. In an aerial apparatus, the combination with a main frame having aV steering shaft pivotally connected thereto, of a sub-frame pivotally connected to the frame, a plane pivotally connected to the sub-frame, links pivotally connecting the plane and steeringshaft, whereby the plane may be oscillated transversely upon the rotation of the steering shaft, said shaft adapted to be moved vertically for oscillating the plane longitudinally, and resilient means connectedA to each side of the plane and to the main frame of the machine for normally holding the plane in a horizontal position.

2. In an aerial apparatus, the combination with a main frame having a steering shaft pivotally connected thereto, of a sub-frame pivotally connected to the frame, a plane pivotally connected to the sub-frame, and means connecting the steering shaft to the plane whereby the sub-frame will he caused to oscillate upon the rotation of the steering shaft, causing the plane to oscillate transversely, said shaft adapted to be moved vertically for oscillating the plane longitudinally independent of any movement of the sub-frame.

In testimony whereof I aiiix my signature.

GEORGE MERDIAN. 

